Whisper Destiny

Chapter 56

~ Natasha ~

I just finished my shower, the cool water washing away the last remnants of sleep. From my room, I can hear a commotion in living area. From what I can hear, there must be quite a number people out there, which I believe most of them are Catherine's team, no doubt, along with the rest of the crew tasked with getting us ready for the red carpet.

I take a moment, letting the calm of the room settle over me, before I surrender myself to the whirlwind awaiting beyond the door.

My thoughts drift back to this morning, to the quiet intimacy that greeted me.

When I woke, Catherine was still asleep, her head tucked against the crook of my neck, her breath steady and soft. Our legs were tangled beneath the sheets, her arm draped possessively around my waist. I let her sleep a little longer, knowing she needed the rest. For a moment, I simply lay there, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her chest against mine.

But eventually, I reached up and gently caressed her arm, my fingers tracing the soft curve of her skin, knowing we didn't have the luxury of staying in this sweet, stolen moment. She stirred slightly at the touch, her body instinctively drawing closer to mine, but she didn't wake. This simple action brings a wide smile to my face. I tried again, this time leaning in to whisper her name, "Catherine..."

Slowly, she began to rouse, her lashes fluttering as she surfaced from sleep. I looked down, and the moment her eyes opened, my breath caught—those eyes, impossibly blue, like the clear sky. For a moment, all I wanted was to stay like this, wrapped in her warmth, with nothing but the quiet between us, the world outside forgotten. But reality was already creeping in, and I knew our time was slipping away before everyone ambushed us for the red carpet.

Catherine suddenly sat up, pulling away from me as if reality had jolted her awake. "Sorry, I fell asleep on you. I shouldn't... we shouldn't..." Her voice trailed off, as if she couldn't find the right words.

"Hey," I said softly, adjusting myself so I could see her better. "It's okay. I didn't even realize when I fell asleep last night, either." I searched her face, noticing the uncertainty in her eyes, the way she seemed to be wrestling with something.

"Cate," I said gently, trying to ease her worry, "don't overthink it. Like you told me before, it's just you and me. No expectations, no pressure. And honestly, I'm glad I could be the reason you slept so soundly." I said, teasingly.

She looked at me with a hint of a smile, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Look at you, using back my words against me. You really are a fast learner" She said.

"I'm a fast learner," I replied with a hint of amusement. Catherine just shake her head.

"And for the record, I don't snore..." she said tying to defence herself.

I grinned, feeling the atmosphere between us lighten. "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. Oh wait—that's me!" I teased her with a wide grin.

She rolled her eyes, already catching onto my teasing, and I couldn't help but laugh. The earlier heaviness lifted, replace by familiar warmth between us.

The memory of waking up with Catherine brought a small, almost reluctant smile to my face. I'd never imagined moments like these between us, but life has a way of surprising you, like opening a Pandora's box of unexpected possibilities. For now, I don't want to overthink it. I'll just let things unfold naturally, going with the flow.

As I stepped into the living room, I was met with a scene of controlled chaos—a stark contrast to the calm when I woke up to this morning. The room buzzed with activity, filled with faces I was starting to recognize. Most were part of Catherine's crew, moving with the efficient ease of people who had done this a thousand times before. A few unfamiliar faces were scattered among them, adding a layer of mystery to the already bustling atmosphere.